Lanarkshire MSP blasts beleaguered Health Secretary over iPad expense claims

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire MSP has blasted the beleaguered Scottish Health Secretary over his iPad expense claims. Central Scotland Conservative list MSP Meghan Gallacher said Michael Matheson had “admitted lying to the public and press” after saying his teenage sons used his Holyrood-issued iPad to watch football matches while on holiday in Morocco - resulting in data roaming charges bill of almost £11,000 for the device.He had initially insisted the device had been used for parliamentary work during the trip.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Mr Matheson made a personal statement to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday amid growing demands for him to explain the data use.He apologised and said he had not mentioned his family’s involvement earlier because he was a “father first and foremost” and had wanted to “protect” his children from “the political and media scrutiny”.Ms Gallacher said: “Michael Matheson had the opportunity to come clean about his extortionate £11,000 data bill last week.“Instead he chose to lie to Parliament, to the media, and to the Scottish people.“He claimed that he found out last Thursday that his government iPad had been used by his children to watch football matches.“There is no justification for him saying that these were legitimate work expenses after he knew the truth.